Mt. Fitzherbert

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift westward to southwestward.

Recent observations: Strong winds are rapidly dispersing gases rising from the growing lava dome so there is no visible plume this morning. No significant changes in patterns of earthquakes or ground deformation have occurred over the past day. Crater clouds hampered yesterday’s attempt to install a new seismometer on the old lava dome, but scientists were able to repair some telemetry and camera systems. The cameras at Sugar Bowl and Guacamole are again sending images back from which we can track patterns of movement. The northeastern, active part of the new lava dome is developing a steeply inclined jagged spine. At its top, temperatures as high as 580 degrees Celsius (1075 degrees F) were measured using a thermal sensor.